Human Flesh - Songs For The Victims (From A Decaying Country)

Strictly limited to 500 copies, in a 7" sleeve, this is the first CD release by this interesting and flamboyant French artist. Human Flesh offers us a mixed and very bizarre patchwork of sounds, this Sixteen track release features a Xylophone, Saxophone, Cymbals, Japanese and English narratives, and other delights, to offer us a very unorthodox album.

Unfortunately, I don't like most of it. The first track "Shake it up" just sounds like people are ritually banging their percussion, hoping it suddenly forms a memorable tune. "Predators" is slightly better and more vicious, but it turns into another distorted chorus with no real purpose or feel to it.

"Tomorrow" (being the third track) is slightly better, representing one of the albums "Ballads" with spoken narrative, and chilling backing vocals. Almost Neofolk, but too unoriginal and quirky to be anything of interest or worth.

What could be a very impressive, very complex and inspiring release, is reduced to being a mediocre effort that brings a Wry smile, but for the most part leaves the listener scratching their head, wondering what the hell is going on. Roughly Five percent of this album is interesting, the rest just makes me feel rather depressed

It transpires that Human Flesh is not a charitable project, if anything, it is sadistic. "Songs for the Victims"? I think they've suffered enough. Jan 15 2007